Rovers sign James Alabi on two-year contract

Tranmere Rovers have today completed the signing of striker James Alabi on a contract which runs until the end of the 2018-19 season.

The 22-year-old arrives at Prenton Park having spent the previous 18 months with fellow National League side Chester FC where he scored 23 goals from 53 starts.

Alabi came through the Academy system at Stoke City and although unable to make the breakthrough into the first team at the Potteries club, he gained experience of senior football with loans at the likes of Scunthorpe United, Mansfield Town and Accrington Stanley.

After leaving Stoke City, Alabi joined Ipswich Town at the beginning of the 2015-16 season after impressing during a trial at the club and netted on his debut for The Tractor Boys in a 4-1 victory at Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup.

Midway through that season, he left Portman Road to join Chester FC and last term he was the club’s leading goalscorer with 17 league goals to his name.

Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon said of the signing: “I’m delighted that James has agreed to join us.

“He is different to the attacking options we already have so it makes us flexible tactically and will enable us to play in different ways as and when we need to.

“James is a good age and his goalscoring record stands up for itself, so we have plenty of firepower from all the strikers at the club.”

James is available to make his first appearance for Rovers in this Wednesday’s pre-season friendly against Liverpool FC, tickets are available now at www.trfctickets.co.uk.